Walking Dead Volume 22: A New Beginning, (Paperback)

One of the most challenging and entertaining mental exercises that I have engaged in was based on the premise, “If civilization rapidly collapses, what are your priorities in rebuilding it?” In this graphic novel, that problem is solved in the midst of roving bands of zombies that devour humans. It has been some time since the zombie scourge destroyed civilization, killed millions and turned unknown numbers of other people into walking killers capable of turning normal people into zombies. A civilization has been rebuilt that is roughly at the level of the very early nineteenth century, complete with wooden windmills, metal forges and horses for transportation. Rick is the leader and in the book he is given a tour of their growing industrial base. This gives the reader an understanding of how civilization is being rebuilt. There is more than one fortified colony and outriders have perfected the art of luring the roving zombie hordes away from their colonies. There is also a policy for accepting new people into the colonies, even when they are skeptical. Humans being humans, there are personal conflicts, challenges and those that want to personally profit from the circumstances. There is a renewed feeling of optimism among the survivors, yet there is the appearance of what is clearly another existential threat to one of the last bastions of civilization. The combination of danger and human nature makes this another quality installment in a great story.